The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-08-29
RUDE WESTERN JUSTICE.
How Judge Lynch Compelled Mn Old
villain 20 Disgorge.

nails" about to be published in his re-
markable series Of historical works re-
lating to the Pacific slope:
The warm.h hearted early settlers of
California were ready to interfere and
do substantial justice whenever they
saw wrong done. In 1858 the town
of Visalia stood somewhat remote from
the more thickly settled portions OF
the state. Population was sparse and
the courts were poorly organized. and
there were many wild and lawless
characters about. There was no jail
in the entire county. A rough shanty
in an oak opening constituted the
courthouse. The floor of the shanty
was tho bare earth, and in the middle
rose the stump Of large oak tree. 10
this stump was attached ring bolt
and the stump and ring bolt constitu-
ted the county prison, for the felons
were chained to it with guard over
them.
On complaint Of his nephew William
q. Deputy was arrested by the sheriff
and chained to the stump. he was
thought by some to be a bad character,
and was accused by the nephew of de-
frauding him of lands and money to the
value of $50, 200 or $4,000. Deputy
was an old man, and because he was
Mormon the people were all the more
ready to call him villain, he was
shunued and detested in the communi-
ty. Thew said that he held in his pos
session at the, time of his arrest proper
ty beloning to his nephew as conf
Dental trust, and this he persistently
refused to reconvey. A lawyer was
employed to compel the man to dis
gorge the funds, but Deputy had con-
cealed his tracks with such skill as to
defy detection and defeat legal pro-
ceedings The nephew was duped, and
the law could not help him to obtain
restitution.
Nothing would avail but to compel
the man to sign over his ill-gotten
gains. Accordingly he stated his
grievances to his friends and enlisted
the sympathy of the community. They
knew of but one way in which TO adjust
the difficulty. They would form a Wig
lance committee and compel the old
man to sign the papers. They believed
the nephew to DO In the right, and
would help him to that justice which
the law would not give.
The cause was made a common one
by the entire community, and there
was not a single individual who opposed
the plan made known to the crowd that
gathered and determined upon action.
That night they met at IL o'clock and
marched to the courthouse. where they
found Deputy guarded by two arm
ed men. They entered the room. meet
ing little opposition. took Deputy from
the bench where he was lying and led
him to the northern section OF the
town. He was placed beneath tree.
from which rope was already swing
ing. The rope was then adjusted about
his neck and he was informed that his
life would be forfeited unless he COM
piled with their demands and made
over the property. This he refused to
do. Accordingly. he was swung into
the air two or three times and lowered
again. until finally he proposed to do
what was required. provided he should
be released from custody and freed
from the charge Of felony that was
pending against him. This was grant
ed and then he made full confession.
:. promised restitution and gave account
of what he held.
He was then taken back to the room
and chained again to await the appear
ance of the lawyers in the morning. To
prevent further violence the sheriff
placed strong guard about the primi-
tive jail. On the following day no
tary was summoned. who drew mp =
deed and seked Deputy II he would
sign a paper cheerfully and willingly.
Several persons Witnessed the proceed
ings, and among them was lawyer
who talked with Deputy in a friendly
! way and advised him to sign the pa
pers. This Deputy at lenghth did. and
, it was attested by the lawyer. The ac-
acknowledgements was then taken by the
notary and his seal affixed. Not the
slightest coercion was used, so 1t was
claimed. for the old man readily as